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Recycled Seashells Transform Beach Into a Dazzling Art Installation

Artist Subodh Kerkar uses thousands of repurposed mussel shells to create a stunning, undulating “ode to the ocean.”

To celebrate the ‘Sculpture by the Sea’ festival in Aarhus, Denmark, artist Subodh Kerkar repurposed thousands of mussle shells into mesmerizing designs. Photo by Subodh Kerkar.

Each year for the last four years, the coastal city of Aarhus, Denmark, has turned their pristine coastline into a temporary outdoor art gallery. Sculpture by the Sea Aarhus, open from June 5th to July 5th along the coast of Tangkrogen to Ballehage, is Denmark’s largest art event and features an international roster of creatives. Now on view, the exhibition contains 60 sculptures and offers audiences “a unique opportunity to combine social and recreational activities, exercise, art, nature and common experiences.”


One of the highlights of this year’s festival is Oceanic Odyssey by Indian artist Subodh Kerkar who, using the sea as design muse, created his installation entirely out of discarded mussle shells left by the tide. The mollusks, which include a green species native to India juxtaposed against blue indigenous shells from Denmark, have been transformed into an “undulating wave” of natural delight. As Kerkar told Designboom, “I consider myself a sea artist. The ocean is both inside and outside my work. The ocean is my master and my muse.”

For the Oceanic Odyssey the artist sculpted thousands of shells, many by hand. Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

The green shells, when paired with the blue, create a hypnotic effect similar to an ocean wave. Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

It is estimated that almost 500,000 design lovers visit the festival in southern Aarhus each year. In addition to art, the event also offers guided tours, live performances, lectures, water activities, and a special indoor exhibition. For those especially moved by the exhibit, you can even buy one of the sculptures. With only five days left of the event, it might not be a bad time to start looking into cheap flights to Denmark?

Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

Photo by Ole Hein Petersen.

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